Madonna responds to criticism over 'bondage' images

The celebrity images were doctored to resemble the cover of Madonna's new album, Rebel Heart

Pop singer Madonna has defended the images of Martin Luther King Junior, Nelson Mandela and others that have been posted on her social media outlets.

The "bondage" images were submitted by fans who placed ribbons on the faces in the style of the artwork on Madonna's new album, Rebel Heart.

But some commentators on Facebook said the images were in bad taste.

"I'm sorry. I'm not comparing my self to anyone," Madonna wrote on Facebook,

"I'm admiring and acknowledging there Rebel Hearts. This is niether a crime or an insult or racist!" [spelling as on Facebook].

In her message posted on Saturday, Madonna continued: "If they put me in the same category as these other people... Thank you."

"I'm very flattered and I hope one day to live up to 1 100th of what those people accomplished."

Following her statement, a doctored image of Diana, Princess of Wales was posted on her social media outlets.

"Yes Princess Diana was. ❤️#rebelheart!" Madonna wrote in a message accompanying the photo. "Anyone who fights for freedom is a ❤️#rebelheart."

John Lennon, Bob Marley and Marilyn Monroe are among others to have had their images co-opted on the website.

The latest controversy follows the criticism Madonna faced late last month for appearing topless in a magazine photo shoot.

Six tracks from her new album were released in December after the songs were leaked online unofficially.